Granby Democrats recognize community service contributions of Frank Hudgik

Frank Hudgik, center, is surrounded by three generations of his family, including children and grandchildren. Hudgik was recently honored by the town of Granby for his community serviceMary Ann Bail, The Republican

By MARY ANN BAIL

GRANBY - When an appointment to the Planning Board opened up, recalled Albert Bail, it was determined that a good salesman was needed.

“I thought of Frank Hudgik,” said Bail, at a recent Granby Democratic Committee event honoring Hudgik with a lifetime achievement award at the Senior Center.

“At the time he was a Republican, but he talked more like a Democrat, so I approached him and he agreed to change his designation.," Bail recalled.

Hudgik's name was submitted, and he was appointed to the board.

Thus began his extracurricular resume, which included seven years on the Planning Board, nine years as a selectman, and over 20 years as an assessor.

He married Jean Lewis, and the couple had five children. Hudgik worked a sales manager for the Philip Hano Co. until 1990.

Hudgik also served as chairman of the Democratic town committee for many years.

He was a member of the Council on Aging, many years as its chairman, and a board member of WestMass Elder Care. In 1990 he was given the Dove Award by the state Department of Elder Affairs for his volunteer efforts. While on the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, he helped get Granby’s first senior van.

Lou Barry, former police chief, recalled how Hudgik got the SALT (Senior and Law Enforcement Together) Council off the ground for the town, serving as its chairman. He started the popular SALT cookouts to acquaint the elders with their police force.

Not every project was a winner, conceded Barry, but “Frank was not discouraged. Take the driveway numbers,” Barry said. “That caught on like wild fire.”

The driveway numbers, Hudgik concedes, is among the major accomplishments of which he is most proud. “I was watching a Fire Department video,” he said, “where responders were having problems finding the right house.” He said he realized then that driveway markers were needed, not house numbers.

Working with the Hampshire County sheriff’s office, a system was developed and the green signs lined streets all over town. The idea also caught on in other areas.

Hudgik is also proud of his work with others on the town's comprehensive zoning plan. The groundwork for that, Hudgik will tell you, was laid by Rita Peterson who had collected and saved copies of comprehensive zoning bylaws from surrounding towns.

Repeated efforts to resolve zoning issues were largely ignored by the town until a nightclub opened in a residential neighborhood, he said. Residents were upset about this. From Peterson’s materials, Hudgik compiled a comprehensive bylaw over one new year's weekend. It was presented before Town Meeting and passed.

Hudgik was also recognized by Police Chief Al Wishart, who succeeded him on the SALT Council. Also there was Northwestern district attorney David Sullivan who remarked, “This is what makes community. That Republicans and Democrats are here tonight reflects that.”

State Reps. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, and John Scibak, D-South Hadley, presented Hudgik with a proclamation from the House of Representatives, recognizing his work for Granby.

When Marie McCourt, chairperson of the Democratic committee, presented Hudgik with his award, he commented, “A lot of other people in town should be recognized too, people who have served in numerous ways over the years. We ought to be thankful we have all these people here.”